Kotetsu Hamono, formerly known as Minamoto Kotetsu Hamono, operates out of Seki City, Japan, and the Nashiji line is one of their most refined offerings: Blue #2 carbon steel under a polished stainless cladding with a nashiji, or pear skin, hammered finish that aids food release while giving the blade a striking appearance.
This 135mm petty runs slightly longer than many compact utility knives, which gives it real versatility for in-hand work, smaller proteins, and detail prep without the reach of a full 150mm. The Blue #2 core at 62 HRC takes a genuinely fine edge, and the stainless nashiji cladding means only the exposed edge is reactive - the rest of the blade is easy to maintain. The even grind suits both right- and left-handed cooks.
What Customers Are Saying: One professional cook who has used this knife almost daily for over a year calls it a fantastic little cutter that takes a very keen edge with minimal effort on the stones. They note the out-of-the-box edge was good enough for most uses and that after time on 1000 and 4000 grit stones it was screaming sharp. The narrow profile and even grind are highlights for their specific use.
Care Instructions: The Blue #2 core is reactive carbon steel, but the stainless cladding protects the blade faces. Day-to-day care is simple: hand wash, dry immediately, and avoid bones and frozen foods to protect the edge. Use a quality water stone when it is time to sharpen.
This 135mm petty runs slightly longer than many compact utility knives, which gives it real versatility for in-hand work, smaller proteins, and detail prep without the reach of a full 150mm. The Blue #2 core at 62 HRC takes a genuinely fine edge, and the stainless nashiji cladding means only the exposed edge is reactive - the rest of the blade is easy to maintain. The even grind suits both right- and left-handed cooks.
What Customers Are Saying: One professional cook who has used this knife almost daily for over a year calls it a fantastic little cutter that takes a very keen edge with minimal effort on the stones. They note the out-of-the-box edge was good enough for most uses and that after time on 1000 and 4000 grit stones it was screaming sharp. The narrow profile and even grind are highlights for their specific use.
Care Instructions: The Blue #2 core is reactive carbon steel, but the stainless cladding protects the blade faces. Day-to-day care is simple: hand wash, dry immediately, and avoid bones and frozen foods to protect the edge. Use a quality water stone when it is time to sharpen.
- Maker: Kotetsu Hamono
- Location: Seki City, Japan
- Construction: San Mai
- Edge Steel: Blue #2 Carbon Steel
- Cladding: Stainless
- Finish: Nashiji (Hammered Polished)
- HRC: 62
- Edge Grind: Even
- Weight: 2.6 oz (76 g)
- Blade Length: 132 mm
- Total Length: 235 mm
- Spine Thickness at Heel: 2 mm
- Blade Height: 27 mm
Reviews
1 review(s) WRITE A REVIEW (Reviews are subject to approval) I recommend Posted By: Jesse - verified customer
19 people found this review helpful
I bought this knife about a year ago, it sees almost daily work in a professional setting. Out of the box edge was pretty good, after about a week I decided to put it on the stones 1k & 4k -- It sharpened up with minimal effort and was screaming when I was done. It's a fantastic little cutter that takes a very keen edge. For my use I wanted something that had a narrower tip & this fit the bill quite nicely. F&F are pretty nice. The handle is comfortable, I was concerned with the cutout that it might feel too small but I haven't felt anything but happy when using this knife. Appearance is much better in person, the Nashiji finish and hand chiseled kanji are beautiful. Pictures don't do it justice.
19 people found this review helpful
I bought this knife about a year ago, it sees almost daily work in a professional setting. Out of the box edge was pretty good, after about a week I decided to put it on the stones 1k & 4k -- It sharpened up with minimal effort and was screaming when I was done. It's a fantastic little cutter that takes a very keen edge. For my use I wanted something that had a narrower tip & this fit the bill quite nicely. F&F are pretty nice. The handle is comfortable, I was concerned with the cutout that it might feel too small but I haven't felt anything but happy when using this knife. Appearance is much better in person, the Nashiji finish and hand chiseled kanji are beautiful. Pictures don't do it justice.
